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Janet Lee Mitchell papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS-0073

Scope and Contents note

The collection contains annotated charts, correspondence, notes, recordings, and other materials which largely pertain to Mitchell's experiments with psychokinesis (PK) and Out-of-Body experiences. The charts relate to thirteen table levitation experiments that she conducted in 1972-1973. Also included is correspondence with Kenneth Batcheldor, Colin Brookes-Smith, and Gertrude Schmeidler on the topic of PK. Additionally, her reasearch, correspondence, and symposium centered around women in parapsychology is included. There are also media records of Mitchell and her work being presented and cited.

Electroencephalography (EEG) charts with notes dated 1971-1974. The EECs were housed in robin's egg blue colored boxes. In addition to EEG charts, item 1 in box 1 contains a copy of Psychology Today, October 1973, and two numbered diagrams. Item 3 in box 2 contains a handwritten note by Janet Mitchell dated January 16, 1974.

Dates

  • 1907-2018

Creator

Conditions Governing Access note

Open to all users; no restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use note

Rights transferred to the University of West Georgia.

Biographical/Historical note

Janet Lee Mitchell (1936-2023) was born in West Virginia on April 3, 1936. She served in the U.S. Women's Army Corps (WAC) from 1958 to 1961. Mitchell worked as a Research Assistant at the American Society for Psychical Research (ASPR) for six years and performed laboratory research regarding extrasensory perception (ESP). During her time working at ASPR she obtained a B.A. in Psychology from Hunter College in 1972. She received her Ph.D. from City University of New York in experimental cognition in 1981. In 1985 she moved to Arizona where she taught at Yavapai College.

Her works include Out-of-Body Experiences: A Handbook (Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 1981) and Conscious Evolution (New York: Ballantine Books, 1990).

Mitchell died July 20, 2023 in Arizona.

Extent

11.81 Linear feet (26 boxes, 1 OV folder)

Language

English

Overview

Research files and other materials pertaining to Mitchell who studied the fields of extrasensory perception and psychokinesis.

Arrangement note

This collection is arranged in series. I: EEG Charts; II: Papers; III: Correspondence; IV: Topical and Research Files; V: Additions; VI: Additions June 2023; VII: Additions November 2023; Additions July 16, 2024.

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

Gift of Janet Lee Mitchell, June 2016. First materials arrived March 2018. The second grouping of materials were donated by Donna L. McCormick in January 2019. A third grouping of materials from this collection were gifted by Janet Lee Mitchell in May 2019. Another addition was gifted by Janet Lee Mitchell in April 2020. Further additions were made in June 2023, November 2023, and on July 16, 2024.

Processing Information note

Processed by Russ Lenox, 2018; Blynne Olivieri, 2019; Jennah Marston, May 2019; Madison Seyres, October 2019; Melissa Najpaver, September 2020; Jason Gaddy, July 2023; Lora Schillemat, November 2023; and Catherine Hendricks, September 2024.

Title
Guide to the Janet Lee Mitchell papers MS-0073
Status
Completed
Author
Russ Lenox
Date
2018
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is in English

Repository Details

Part of the University of West Georgia Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Special Collections, Ingram Library
University of West Georgia
1601 Maple Street
Carrollton GA 30118-2000 United States